Patch Morning Briefing: Obama Vows Action, $73K Coffee With Ivanka, Wonder Woman Out of a Job

YOUR MORNING BRIEFING

Good morning, Patchers.

Here's a look at some of what you need to know today.

"WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION. AND WE WILL." SAYS OBAMA

In an interview with NPR airing Friday, President Obama says action will be taken once they determine who was responsible for the hacking during the campaign - some may be explicit and publicized, some not. (NPR)

"YOU CAN INDICT 400" RUSSIAN HACKERS - THEY DON'T CARE

Speaking of hacking. An in-depth look at the problems investigating Russian hackers from the difficulty in finding them to the obstacles in prosecuting them. (NYT).

QUICK HITS
A Beaver With Expensive Taste in Wood (Patch)
Former NFL Running Back Exposes Himself (Patch)
"Beyond Evil" Serial Killer Convicted (Patch)

EVERYONE VOTED BUT NO ONE SHOWED UP AT THE POLL

Patch's J.R. Lind has the story of a referendum in Tennessee where the state forced the poll open even though everyone - literally - had voted (Patch).

"THE JINX" SAYS HE'S READY FOR JURY TO HEAR HIS SIDE BUT...

Lawyers for Robert Durst, accused of killing his friend, Susan Berman, have filed papers challenging evidence. Durst, a wealthy member of a prominent NY real estate family, was the focus of a six-part HBO series. (LAT).

HE WANTS TO MOVE THE AMERICAN EMBASSY TO JERUSALEM

Donald Trump wants David Friedman to be the U.S. Ambassador to Jerusalem. He also supports controversial Israeli settlements on the West Bank. (Forward).

REMEMBERED FOR HIS SUITS, HONORED FOR HIS JOURNALISM

Craig Sager, the long time NBA sideline reporter for TNT, lost his battle with cancer Thursday. Tributes flooded social media as people remembered him. Patch's Todd Richissin looks at his life. (Patch).

THE $73,000 CUP OF COFFEE WITH IVANKA COULD BE A BAD IDEA

It's for a good cause, without question. But Ivanka Trump offering up coffee with her to raise money for charity raises ethical questions. The leading bidder, as of this writing, wants to basically lobby her. There are also questions about a fundraiser being planned by one of her brothers. (NYT).

"A BOND THAT WILL NOT BE BROKEN"

Now that Dylan Roof has been convicted of the massacre at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, the families, the congregation, plot a path forward. (POST AND COURIER).

IT'S THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE FOR WONDER WOMAN

Barely two months after being appointed a U.N. ambassador for empowering girls and women, Wonder Woman will have to find a new gig after Friday. Apparently tens of thousands of people signed a petition asking the UN to dump her and the UN complied. Issues ranged from her being fictional to her costume. (Guardian).

A FINANCIAL PROPOSAL WORTH DRINKING TO

Cuba owes a lot of money to a lot of countries dating back to the Cold War. The word is that they are proposing paying off that debt with Cuban rum. (WP).

ONE COP WHO WASN'T SHY TO BARK AT THE PRESS

Melnic, the K9 six-year-veteran of the Olympia, WA Police Department, is retiring. He had one last press conference. It was pretty cute and there's video. Read the story by Patch's Neal McNamera. (Patch).

FRIDAY'S AGENDA

• Rogue One opens.
• It's a Wonderful Life is on television.
• Michelle Obama hosts a second screening of Hidden Figures in as many days.

Photo Al Shaker/VOA via Wikimedia Commons